A new defense in the battle of the sexes.

George L Sutphin

doi:10.7554/elife.50140

Abstract

Young Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodites use their own sperm to protect against the negative consequences of mating.

Highlights

I n popular culture, the phrase ’the battle of the sexes’ conjures images of the complexities of dating, discussions about gender or, for some, a movie about the ultimate tennis grudge match
Consider the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans: hermaphrodite worms can reproduce through self-fertilization or by mating with male worms, but sexual interaction between males and hermaphrodites shortens the lifespan of both (Maures et al, 2014; Van Voorhies, 1992)
The negative impact of sex on the lifespan of hermaphrodite worms is mediated by a number of molecular mechanisms including pheromones, the transfer of seminal fluid, and germline activation (Shi et al, 2017)

Summary

Introduction

I n popular culture, the phrase ’the battle of the sexes’ conjures images of the complexities of dating, discussions about gender or, for some, a movie about the ultimate tennis grudge match. Self-sperm induce resistance to the detrimental effects of sexual encounters with males in hermaphroditic nematodes. Consider the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans: hermaphrodite worms can reproduce through self-fertilization or by mating with male worms, but sexual interaction between males and hermaphrodites shortens the lifespan of both (Maures et al, 2014; Van Voorhies, 1992).

Results

Conclusion